Doing a b2b and your thoughts

[poutanen]

Does the entertainment and food differ or is it the same?

 

The comedians aboard Allure on our B2B changed, so we had a total of 4 comedians over the course of the two weeks.

 

Luckily the piano player/singer did NOT change. She was fantastic. :D

[NOSaints1]

How long do you plan for a b2b compared to a regular cruise and what stateroom do you usually book?

[Clarea]

How long do you plan for a b2b compared to a regular cruise and what stateroom do you usually book?

We book a stateroom that is open on both cruises so we don't have to pack/unpack. We normally book when the itineraries are first released so we have a good choice of staterooms.

[NOSaints1]

What would you prefer 7 days in a JS you get 14 points or a b2b in an inside for 24 days.

[Clarea]

What would you prefer 7 days in a JS you get 14 points or a b2b in an inside for 24 days.

I'd prefer the longer cruise, but I would at least go for an OV stateroom. Don't think I want 24 days in an inside.

[NOSaints1]

For two on FOS in April for the 8 and 6 day in an interior with promenade is just under 3000 CDN.

[island lady]

We've also done it at Miami and San Juan.

 

Was the procedure the same in both ports/ships?

Edited December 29, 2015 by island lady

[island lady]

What would you prefer 7 days in a JS you get 14 points or a b2b in an inside for 24 days.

 

Agree, I could not do 24 days in an inside. Too closed in for me.

 

I am with Bob, I need at least a port hole with natural light.

[island lady]

For two on FOS in April for the 8 and 6 day in an interior with promenade is just under 3000 CDN.

 

 

But at least you have some light coming in through a window, granted not natural light or

a view of the sea and your position. I have seen the promenade cabins, they are nice.

 

Though don't forget to close your curtains at night. :eek: ;)

Edited December 29, 2015 by island lady

[NOSaints1]

We had a balcony before and found we never used it as much as we thought we would

[Clarea]

We had a balcony before and found we never used it as much as we thought we would

For us, the best part of the balcony or OV is the natural light.

[davekathy]

Was the procedure the same in both ports/ships?

 

Let’s see we’ve done B2B Cruises on the Grand Princess out of Fort Lauderdale, on the Liberty Of The Seas out of Miami, on the Summit out of San Juan and two different B2B Cruises (different years) on the Adventure Of The Seas out of San Juan. Each one of those Cruises basically the procedure were the same. For each of the Cruise lines and ships the procedures were not exactly the same. We even found that out when doing our second B2B Cruise on the Adventure compared to the first B2B Cruise on the Adventure. We thought each Cruise line and ship was well organized and efficient on getting us all together and escorted off as a group. I guess we've been lucky on our B2B Cruises as we didn’t have to wait for anyone. After you clear customs you can either go off to whatever port you’re turn around day is at or return to the ship on your own. If electing to go ashore an in transit card is issued. That way when returning to the ship no waiting to re-board the ship. We always have the same stateroom for the second leg so on the first leg I advise our stateroom attendant we are doing a B2B Cruise. We’re always pleased they are aware of it. On our first B2B Cruise I contacted Guest Relations also. I don’t do that anymore. They know.

Edited December 29, 2015 by davekathy

[island lady]

We had a balcony before and found we never used it as much as we thought we would

 

We had an inside cabin...just once...couldn't take it.

 

Had an OV once, nice for a short cruise for us anyway, but won't usually book one.

 

We practically live out on our balcony. Use it all the time. Will most times book cabins with the biggest balcony we can get in each cat level. Have 9256 booked for our B2B on Radiance in Alaska, and 7666 booked for Enchantment. Both have huge balconies.

 

It is of course all a matter of personal preference. Some swear by inside cabins stating "we never spend any time in our cabin anyway except to sleep and shower". We never sit by the pool, prefer to read or relax on our balcony.

Edited December 29, 2015 by island lady

[island lady]

Let’s see we’ve done B2B Cruises on the Grand Princess out of Fort Lauderdale, on the Liberty Of The Seas out of Miami, on the Summit out of San Juan and two different B2B Cruises (different years) on the Adventure Of The Seas out of San Juan. Each one of those Cruises basically the procedure were the same. For each of the Cruise lines and ships the procedures were not exactly the same. We even found that out when doing our second B2B Cruise on the Adventure compared to the first B2B Cruise on the Adventure. We thought each Cruise line and ship was well organized and efficient on getting us all together and escorted off as a group. I guess we've been lucky on our B2B Cruises as we didn’t have to wait for anyone. After you clear customs you can either go off to whatever port you’re turn around day is at or return to the ship on your own. If electing to go ashore an in transit card is issued. That way when returning to the ship no waiting to re-board the ship. We always have the same stateroom for the second leg so on the first leg I advise our stateroom attendant we are doing a B2B Cruise. We’re always pleased they are aware of it. On our first B2B Cruise I contacted Guest Relations also. I don’t do that anymore. They know.

 

 

Thanks for all the helpful information! :)

 

Looking forward to (finally!) our first B2B in August! :D

[NOSaints1]

Would you do BOS out of Tampa going to Coz and GC and Coz and KW

[Clarea]

Would you do BOS out of Tampa going to Coz and GC and Coz and KW

Yes, we just did BR to to Cozumel and Key West. Would have been nice to do GC too.

[impatientlywaiting]

Nice!! :D

 

Wow...another bucket list trip. That list is getting longer! :eek: ;)

 

I'm actually surprised DH agreed to 29 days on a cruise ship! Fortunately we have friends coming up from Australia to cruise the first leg of the cruise with us and then our daughter and three more friends will be joining us in Hawaii. We loved the South Pacific and seeing it with our daughter will make it extra special!

[impatientlywaiting]

We had a balcony before and found we never used it as much as we thought we would

 

The only time we didn't get a balcony (had an OV because there were no balcony cabins available) was on the Vision in March. We made the mistake of booking last minute. Little did we know that half the ship was going to be college age adults drunk out of their minds hogging the pool deck, the deck above the pool and the solarium. We really wished we'd had a balcony on that cruise.

[NOSaints1]

Do you prefer the bigger or smaller ships? On a side note, disappointed in you guys taking Jimmy Graham!

[Clarea]

Do you prefer the bigger or smaller ships? On a side note, disappointed in you guys taking Jimmy Graham!

Smaller. Seems more relaxing to us.

[NOSaints1]

Your favourite ship to relax on?

[tserface]

We've done a couple and we really loved it both times. Ships like Freedom or Adventure are good because they have alternating itineraries. B2B is one of the things Royal does best.

 

It's really fun sitting there when everyone else has to get off the ship and knowing you get another week. Of course, your time always comes, but you get that one day of being "king of the ship" which is kind of fun.

 

The lunch was really good too as some have mentioned.

 

Mostly, I think I like it because after a few days a ship becomes like "home" so it's really nice to extend the voyage. Also, you get to meet a whole new group of people, but there are typically enough B2B cruisers to keep the cruise familiar.

 

Tom

[Clarea]

Your favourite ship to relax on?

Any Vision or Radiance class ship.

[NOSaints1]

And least favourite

[Clarea]

And least favourite

Oasis class.